{{Short description|Species of octopus}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | genus = Octopus | species = variabilis | authority = Sasaki, 1929 | synonyms = }}
'''''Octopus variabilis''''', commonly known as the '''whiparm octopus''', is a benthic species found in the northwest Pacific Ocean, specifically in the East China Sea and near Korea. ''O. variabilis'' inhabits areas of shallow muddy waters, particularly during breeding periods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This species is a member of the Octopodidae family, which consists of the most well-known octopus species.
This species is of economic importance to the coastal areas of China considering its role in stabilizing local fishery communities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In addition to ''Amphioctopus fangsiao,'' another key fishery resource to Korea and China, ''O. variabilis'' stands as one of the main species of cephalopod communities in East China.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In many Asian countries, including South Korea, this small octopus is one of the most popular seafoods considering its low fat content along with its high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Jin-Jae |last2=Kim |first2=Tae-Yoon |last3=Choi |first3=Sang Ho |last4=Kim |first4=Bong-Soo |date=2017-12-01 |title=Analysis of the bacterial microbiome in the small octopus, Octopus variabilis, from South Korea to detect the potential risk of foodborne illness and to improve product management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996917306725 |journal=Food Research International |volume=102 |pages=51–60 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.084 |pmid=29195979 |issn=0963-9969|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Considering their habits of filter-feeding along with inhabiting tidal flat sediments, these individuals tend to host a variety of microbiota.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Jin-Jae |last2=Kim |first2=Tae-Yoon |last3=Choi |first3=Sang Ho |last4=Kim |first4=Bong-Soo |date=2017-12-01 |title=Analysis of the bacterial microbiome in the small octopus, Octopus variabilis, from South Korea to detect the potential risk of foodborne illness and to improve product management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996917306725 |journal=Food Research International |volume=102 |pages=51–60 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.084 |pmid=29195979 |issn=0963-9969|url-access=subscription }}</ref> As a result, they have been noted to cause food-borne illnesses when consumed raw.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Jin-Jae |last2=Kim |first2=Tae-Yoon |last3=Choi |first3=Sang Ho |last4=Kim |first4=Bong-Soo |date=2017-12-01 |title=Analysis of the bacterial microbiome in the small octopus, Octopus variabilis, from South Korea to detect the potential risk of foodborne illness and to improve product management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996917306725 |journal=Food Research International |volume=102 |pages=51–60 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.084 |pmid=29195979 |issn=0963-9969|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Identification == In 1929, Madoka Sasaki noted eighteen species of cephalopods belonging to eleven genera in seven families that occurred in Taiwan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I Challenge Thee |url=https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/53500/1/3792.pdf |access-date=2026-04-24 |website=oceanrep.geomar.de}}</ref> ''O. variabilis'' has historically been confused with ''Octopus minor'' (Sasaki, 1920), a common benthic species distributed in northeast Asia, due to their morphological similarities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Bo-Mi |last2=Kang |first2=Seunghyun |last3=Ahn |first3=Do-Hwan |last4=Jung |first4=Seung-Hyun |last5=Rhee |first5=Hwanseok |last6=Yoo |first6=Jong Su |last7=Lee |first7=Jong-Eun |last8=Lee |first8=SeungJae |last9=Han |first9=Yong-Hee |last10=Ryu |first10=Kyoung-Bin |last11=Cho |first11=Sung-Jin |last12=Park |first12=Hyun |last13=An |first13=Hye Suck |date=2018-11-01 |title=The genome of common long-arm octopus Octopus minor |journal=GigaScience |volume=7 |issue=11 |article-number=giy119 |doi=10.1093/gigascience/giy119 |issn=2047-217X |pmc=6279123 |pmid=30256935}}</ref> However, the two closely related species differ in their tolerance to environmental conditions and dispersal ability.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Due to their similarities and taxonomic confusion, these species are often referred to interchangeably by regional fishermen and earlier scientific literature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tang |first1=Yan |last2=Zheng |first2=Xiaodong |last3=Lu |first3=Chungcheng |date=November 2024 |title=Taxonomy and systematic positions of three new Callistoctopus species (Octopoda, Octopodidae) discovered in coastal waters of China |journal=Marine Life Science & Technology |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=750–767 |doi=10.1007/s42995-024-00258-6 |issn=2662-1746 |pmc=11602926 |pmid=39620088 |bibcode=2024MLST....6..750T }}</ref>
== Distribution and characteristics == ''O. variabilis'' is one of the most abundant species distributed along the northwest Pacific Ocean, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Xue |first1=Ying |last2=Ren |first2=Yiping |last3=Meng |first3=Wenrong |last4=Li |first4=Long |last5=Mao |first5=Xia |last6=Han |first6=Dongyan |last7=Ma |first7=Qiuyun |date=2013-09-01 |title=Beak measurements of octopus (Octopus variabilis) in Jiaozhou Bay and their use in size and biomass estimation |journal=Journal of Ocean University of China |language=en |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=469–476 |doi=10.1007/s11802-013-2194-9 |bibcode=2013JOUC...12..469X |issn=1993-5021}}</ref> Exhibiting limited dispersal potential, except for occasional movements between upper and lower tidal zones, ''O. variabilis'' adults are largely sessile, often times moving along seabeds.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Lü |first1=Zhen-ming |last2=Liu |first2=Li-qing |last3=Li |first3=Huan |last4=Wu |first4=Chang-wen |last5=Zhang |first5=Jian-she |date=2013-12-01 |title=Deep phylogeographic break among Octopus variabilis populations in China: Evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305197813001993 |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |volume=51 |pages=224–231 |doi=10.1016/j.bse.2013.09.003 |bibcode=2013BioSE..51..224L |issn=0305-1978|url-access=subscription }}</ref> As a result of limited dispersal abilities, differentiation amongst ''O. variabilis'' populations has resulted, considering weak genetic flow.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lü |first1=Zhen-ming |last2=Liu |first2=Li-qing |last3=Li |first3=Huan |last4=Wu |first4=Chang-wen |last5=Zhang |first5=Jian-she |date=2013-12-01 |title=Deep phylogeographic break among Octopus variabilis populations in China: Evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305197813001993 |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |volume=51 |pages=224–231 |doi=10.1016/j.bse.2013.09.003 |bibcode=2013BioSE..51..224L |issn=0305-1978|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This species inhabits shallow, muddy environments, and exhibits behaviors of burrowing during breeding periods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Depth ranges of ''O. variabilis'' can range between 1-200 meters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redirecting - Search Page |url=https://sealifebase.ca/error/mysqlerr.php |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=sealifebase.ca}}</ref>
== Life cycle and mating behavior == As with other members of class Cephalopod, ''O. variabilis'' is gonochoristic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Octopus variabilis, Whiparm octopus: fisheries |url=https://sealifebase.ca/summary/Octopus-variabilis.html#:~:text=Length%20at%20first%20maturity%20/%20Size,275) |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=sealifebase.ca}}</ref> Males exhibit mating behaviors by performing a variety of displays to attract potential mates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cannot Connect to database |url=https://sealifebase.ca/error/mysqlerr.php |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=sealifebase.ca |language=en}}</ref> During copulation, a male inserts the hectocotylus into the female's mantle cavity, enabling fertilization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redirecting - Search Page |url=https://sealifebase.ca/error/mysqlerr.php |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=sealifebase.ca}}</ref> Following reproduction, adult males shortly die after spawning, while females die following the brooding period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Redirecting - Search Page |url=https://sealifebase.ca/error/mysqlerr.php |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=sealifebase.ca}}</ref> Juveniles develop directly as they hatch from benthic-attached eggs with no evident planktonic larval stage.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lü |first1=Zhen-ming |last2=Liu |first2=Li-qing |last3=Li |first3=Huan |last4=Wu |first4=Chang-wen |last5=Zhang |first5=Jian-she |date=2013-12-01 |title=Deep phylogeographic break among Octopus variabilis populations in China: Evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305197813001993 |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |volume=51 |pages=224–231 |doi=10.1016/j.bse.2013.09.003 |bibcode=2013BioSE..51..224L |issn=0305-1978|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Consumption == ''O. variabilis'' is notably one of the most popular seafood choices in countries such as South Korea.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Jin-Jae |last2=Kim |first2=Tae-Yoon |last3=Choi |first3=Sang Ho |last4=Kim |first4=Bong-Soo |date=2017-12-01 |title=Analysis of the bacterial microbiome in the small octopus, Octopus variabilis, from South Korea to detect the potential risk of foodborne illness and to improve product management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996917306725 |journal=Food Research International |volume=102 |pages=51–60 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.084 |pmid=29195979 |issn=0963-9969|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Considering its high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, low fat content, and high content of protein, it has been established as a staple seafood in many Asian countries.<ref name=":2" /> In South Korean fish markets, ''O. variabilis'' is sold to be eaten "raw," as it can be accompanied by a sauce.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shannon |first=Adventuring with |date=2019-01-27 |title=Eating Live Octopus in South Korea: A Truly Strange Adventure |url=https://adventuringwithshannon.com/eating-live-octopus-in-south-korea/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=Adventuring with Shannon |language=en-US}}</ref> ''O. variabilis'' is a highly versatile seafood item that can be prepared in several ways, including grilling, braising, serving raw, or cooking in stews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nast |first=Condé |title=Octopus |url=https://www.epicurious.com/ingredient/octopus |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=Epicurious |language=en-US}}</ref> However, because it often times consumed raw, the microorganisms within can potentially cause food-borne illnesses.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Jin-Jae |last2=Kim |first2=Tae-Yoon |last3=Choi |first3=Sang Ho |last4=Kim |first4=Bong-Soo |date=2017-12-01 |title=Analysis of the bacterial microbiome in the small octopus, Octopus variabilis, from South Korea to detect the potential risk of foodborne illness and to improve product management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996917306725 |journal=Food Research International |volume=102 |pages=51–60 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.084 |pmid=29195979 |issn=0963-9969|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Even though it is considerably rare, extreme cases have even lead to the development of anaphylaxis.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Jeong Eun |last2=Choi |first2=Jeong Hee |last3=Suh |first3=Yu Jin |last4=Yoon |first4=Sung Ho |last5=Ye |first5=Young Min |last6=Shin |first6=Yu Sub |last7=Suh |first7=Chang Hee |last8=Nahm |first8=Dong Ho |last9=Park |first9=Hae Sim |date=2004-06-01 |title=A Case of Anaphylaxis Due to Raw Octopus variabilis |url=https://www.komci.org/GSResult.php?RID=2058KJAACI/2004.24.2.257&DT=1 |journal=Korean Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology |language=Korean |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=257–260 |issn=1226-8739}}</ref>
== Future of fishing == ''O. variabilis'' alongside other species such as ''AmphiOctopus fangsiao'', are economically important species that dominate the northwest Pacific cephalopod communities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> These species are fished primarily in East Asian Waters, particularly the Yellow and East China Seas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Since the 1990s, there has been an apparent increasing trend in cephalopod production, which has been accompanied by a change in species composition.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pang |first1=Yumeng |last2=Tian |first2=Yongjun |last3=Fu |first3=Caihong |last4=Wang |first4=Bin |last5=Li |first5=Jianchao |last6=Ren |first6=Yiping |last7=Wan |first7=Rong |date=2018-12-01 |title=Variability of coastal cephalopods in overexploited China Seas under climate change with implications on fisheries management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783618301942 |journal=Fisheries Research |volume=208 |pages=22–33 |doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2018.07.004 |bibcode=2018FishR.208...22P |issn=0165-7836|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Additionally, fluctuations in these compositions have been driven by large-scale environmental variations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pang |first1=Yumeng |last2=Tian |first2=Yongjun |last3=Fu |first3=Caihong |last4=Wang |first4=Bin |last5=Li |first5=Jianchao |last6=Ren |first6=Yiping |last7=Wan |first7=Rong |date=2018-12-01 |title=Variability of coastal cephalopods in overexploited China Seas under climate change with implications on fisheries management |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783618301942 |journal=Fisheries Research |volume=208 |pages=22–33 |doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2018.07.004 |bibcode=2018FishR.208...22P |issn=0165-7836|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Climate projections have indicated that suitable habitat for ''O. variabilis'' is likely to extend northward, which poses additional challenges for long-term management.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Linlin |last2=Xu |first2=Min |last3=Liu |first3=Zunlei |last4=Zhang |first4=Yi |last5=Cui |first5=Yan |last6=Li |first6=Shengfa |date=2025-04-01 |title=Seasonal and spatial distribution of AmphiOctopus fangsiao and Octopus variabilis in the southern Yellow and East China Seas: Fisheries management implications based on climate scenario predictions |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485525000635 |journal=Regional Studies in Marine Science |volume=83 |article-number=104072 |doi=10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104072 |bibcode=2025RSMS...8304072Y |issn=2352-4855|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== References == <references />
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15233987}}
Category:Octopodidae Category:Cephalopods described in 1929 Category:Molluscs of the Pacific Ocean